Convertible furniture



March 4, 1952 J. A. ARTON 2,588,071

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed NOV. 14, 1946 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 IIIIWW IN VEN TOR.

Ja/zmmrzm B Y March 4, 1952 J ARTQN 2,588,071

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed NOV. 14, 1946 2 SHEETS-$HEET 2 .36 J L I 25mm" INVEN TOR. John a drzarz.

Patented Mar. 4, 1,952

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE John A. Arton, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 14, 1946, Serial No. 709,685

3 Claims. (01. secs) This invention relates, in general, to convertible v furniture, and has particular relation to con vertible furniture for use as a seat and as a bed. While the particular article of convertible furniture which I shall describe hereinafter in connection with the drawings is a love' seat adapted for use also as a bed, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such use but may be employed in all similar convertible furniture, for example, a chair adapted'for use as a bed, a davenport or couch adapted for use as a bed, or other seat structures adapted for use as beds.

Ordinarily, prior devices of the sort with which the present invention is concerned have involved complicated structures which, when extended, have not had adequate strength, or have been objecticnably heavy or expensive, and, when folded, have not entirely concealed the possibility of employment as a bed. Prior devices have also required the use of counterweights, which added to the weight and cost or were likely to become overbalanced, with the possibility of injuring the operator. In prior devices having an extensible frame comprising a first or inner section, a second or intermediate section, and a third or outer section, difiiculty has been encountered ,in folding the outer section to folded position due to the.

tendency of the back of the article of furniture to obstruct folding of the outer section frequently to such extent as to require swinging or other movement of the back to position to clear the frame in the folding operation, and then back into normal position after folding of the extensible frame is completed.

In prior devices there is also frequently a tendency for the article of furniture to shift along the fioor in a direction longitudinally of the extended frame in swinging the third or outer section of this frame to extended position, particularly where the 'outer section of the frame has inner legs which engage the floor first, and outer legs which are thereafter swung into position on the floor. In such devices as the inner legs of the outer frame section come into engagement with the floor, leverage is imposed in completing the movement of the outer frame section to full extended position, and this leverage acts to produce the objectionable shifting of the article of furniture with possible injury to the floor or to the rug or carpet.

Prior devices have also been unable to accommodate a five inch inner spring mattress for use when the extensible frame is extended for use as a bed, and as a result comfort has been sacrificed 2 I by using a less comfortable form of mattress that could be accommodated within the. seat when the extensiblefra'me is in folded position; "-The matter ofproViding lock mechanismyfor locking the extensible frame in folded position and which can lock with the mattress in place between the sections of the frame has also presented a, difliculty.

One of the main objects of the present invene tion is to overcome the difliculties heretofore encountered and, more particularly, to provide an article of convertible furniture having various features of novelty and advantages, and which is particularly characterized by its simplicity in construction, its economy in manufacture, its strength and effectiveness in use, its ability, when folded, not to suggest the possibility of employment as a bed, and the ease and convenience with which it operates for the intended purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved leg structure which will eliminate the tendency for the article of furniture to shift along the floor in unfolding the extensible frame to extended position; also an improved leg structure through which an increased bracing action is provided to increase the strength of the ex-' tended frame, particularly adjacent the hinge connection between the first or inner section and the second or intermediate section of the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of convertible furniture having an extensible frame of a character to accommodate a more comfortable mattress, and particularly a five inch inner spring mattress, for use when the extensible frame is extended for use as a bed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved lock mechanism for locking the extensible frame in folded position and which can lock with the mattress in folded position between.

the sections of the extensible frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved structure in which the extensible frame is adapted to be folded Without difiiculty on account of obstruction by the back of the article of furniture and without the necessity'of swing ing or other movement of the back to position to clear the frame, and back into normal position after the folding of the extensible frame is completed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved back for the article of convertible furniture having a bedding compartment and movable to position for access to such compartment and to normal position; also an improved 9 ,m eh e s a ca r b W itt were able with the extensible frame to lock the back in its normal position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved brace structure which is diagonally disposed between the inner end of the second or intermediate section of the extensible frame and the frame mounted in the base of the article of furniture, more effectively to brace and increase the strength of the extensible frame in its extended position; also a brace structure of the character described which carries the front board of the article of furniture and positions the same in the desired position when the extensible frame is in folded position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved leg structure for the outer end of the second or intermediate frame section, which folds in folding the extensible frame so as to clear the back without swinging or otherwise moving it out of the way.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the manner of constructing and operating an illustrative em-- bodimentof the. present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article of convertible furniture embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical and more or less schematic section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary and more or less schematic plan view with parts omitted, and showing the extensible frame in extended position;;and

Figure 4 is a. vertical and more or less schematic section similar to Figure 2 but with the extensible frame in extended position and showing in dotted lines the manner-in which. the backis movable to position for access to the beddin compartmenttherein.

Referring now to the drawings, the article of convertible furniture selected for illustration is a love seat adapted foruse as a bed. It comprises a seat structure having a back I and arm mem bers 2, 2, which. may be upholstered as suitable or desired. The bottom of. each arm member 2 may be: provided with suitable feet 3.

Mounted in the seat structure is a fixed seat frame 4. An extensible frame comprises a movable. inner frame section 5 connected to the frame 4' by links 6 a. movable intermediate frame section 1 hinged at 8- to the outer end of the inner frame sectionz5, and a. movable Oute fra section 9 hinged at Hi: to the intermediate frame section 1. The lower ends of the links 6 are pivoted at H to the seat frame. 4, and. the opposite ends of. the link-sv -6 are pivoted at I2 to the movable inner frame section 5 of thebextensibleframe; The inner, intermediate, andouter frame sections 5, 1, and 9,. are adapted tobe unfolded to liecoextensive in extended position, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and. to be folded tolie one. above another within the seat portion, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Legs I3, one on each of. the opposite sides of the extensible frame, are pivoted at I 4 to the opposite sides of the intermediate frame section 1 near the outer. end thereof. The legs l3 lie generally normal to the intermediate frame section. I in its. extended position (Figure 4) with theirllower ends extending below the pivots l4 and resting upon. the floor; indicated at 15, and their upper ends extending above the pivots H.

4 A link I6 is pivoted at IT to the upper end of each leg l3, and the oposite ends of the link [6 are pivoted at l8, as shown in Figures 2 and 4,, to the hinge connection 8 between the inner and intermediate frame sections 5 and 1.

It is contemplated within the scope of the broader aspects of the present invention to pivot the legs l3 on the intermediate frame section I near the outer end thereof and to swing the same from the outer frame section 9 instead of from the inner frame section 5 through the hinge connection 8.

At each side of the extensible frame a bracing link I9 is pivoted at one end at 20 to the outer end of the seat frame 4, and the other end of the link I9 is pivoted at 2| to the inner end of the intermediate frame section 1. Each link I9 is diagonally disposed (Figure 4) to brace and increase the strength of the extensible frame when it is in extended position, particularly adjacentthehinge connection 8- hetween the inner and. intermediate frame sections 5 and l.

A front board 24. is preferably carried by the bracing links. 19 andis positioned vertically along the lower part of the front of the seat portion (Figures 1 and 2;) by the bracingv links I9 when the extensible frame is in folded position. The front board 24 may be upholstered as suitable or desired.

The hinge connection 8 comprises a hinge leaf 26 fixed at 21 to the adjacent end of the inner frame section 5, and asecond hinge leaf 28 fixed at 29 to the intermediate frame section 1. The hinge leaves 26 and 28 are pivotally connected at 30. In the extended position of the extensible frame the hinge connection 8 is positioned as shown in Figure 4, with. the pivotal connection at 30 at opposite sides of the extensible frame and above the plane of the extended frame. When the extensible frame is in folded position, the hinge leaves 26 and 28 and the pivotal connection 30 between these hinge leaves are disposed between the seat frame 4 and the frame sections 5, 1 and 9, which then lie in spaced position above and generally parallel with the seat frame 4, as shown in Figure 2.

The type of connection between the outer end of'the inner frame section 5 and the inner end of the intermediate frame section I may vary within the scope of the broader aspects of the invention. For example, other forms of connections that will permit the outer frame section 9 tobe folded upon the intermediate frame section I are contemplated and therefore the term hinge connection is to be broadly considered.

Legs 32, one on each of the opposite-sides of the extensible frame, are pivoted. at 33 at their upper ends (Figure 4) tothe opposite sides-of the outer framesection 9. The legs 32 depend gen-v erally normal from the outer end of the outer frame section 9 in its extended position, and rest upon the floor or other support indicated at I5. A link 34 is pivoted at one end at 35 to each leg 32, and at its other end at 36 to the opposite sides of the outer frame section 9. In the folded position of the extensible frame the legs 32 are folded to lie substantially parallel with the folded outer frame section 9, as shown in Figure 2.

A supplemental front board 38 is carried by the outer end of the outer frame section 9, and is positioned vertically along the front of the seat portion and above the front board 24 (Figures 1 and 2) when the extensible frame is in folded position. The front board 38 may be upholstered as suitable or desired.

The outer frame parts of the inner, intermediate, and outer frame sections 5, l, and 9 may be of angle iron form, as shown in Figure 3, or of other suitable form. Diagonal corner braces are shown at 48 in Figure 3, but this may, of course, vary. Each of the frame sections 5, l, and 9 is provided with a mattress or cushion supporting structure comprising, for example, a reticulated network of spring strips 42. The form of the mattress or cushion support may vary within the scope of the present invention.

For the purpose of locking the extensible frame in folded position I provide an improved lock mechanism comprising upright struts 45, one at each of the opposite sides of the seat portion. Each strut 45 is pivoted at 46 to the seat frame 4, and extends upwardly with its upper end positioned adjacent the inner end of the folded extensible frame when it is in folded position as shown in Figure 2. Upright frame members 41, fixed at their lower ends to the seat frame 4, extend upwardly and carry pins 48 which extend loosely through openings 49 in the struts 45. The loose fit of the pins 48 in the openings 49 allows limited pivotal movement of the struts 45 about their pivots 46. Each strut 45 carries a locking pin 50 at its upper end, and the struts are urged yieldingly in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 4, about their pivots 46 to the position shown in Figure 4 by springs 48' connected at one end to the strut 45 and, at the other end, to the seat frame 4 or other fixed part within the seat portion.

Cooperating locking members 52, one at each side of the extensible frame, are fixed at 53 to the outer frame section 9. Each locking member 52 has a tapered nose 54 and a locking notch 55. As the extensible frame is folded, the locking member 52 moves to the position shown in Figure 2. In approaching this position the tapered nose 54 engages the locking pin 56 and cams the strut 45 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot 46 against the action of the spring 48. The notch 55 then moves to position to receive the pin 56, and the spring 48' swings the strut 45 in a clockwise direction and thereby engages the pin 50 in the notch 55 to lock the extensible frame in folded position.

The locking mechanism described has a yielding action which is highly advantageous in that it permits the extensible frame to be folded and locked with the mattress (not shown) in place between the folded sections of the frame. The mattress is thus adapted to be compressed in engaging the lock, and all parts are firmly held in place. This and the character of the extensible frame to accommodate a full five inch inner spring mattress are important aspects of the present invention. Another advantage lies in the ability of the extensible frame to be folded into folded position and into extended position Without obstruction by the back'of the article of furniture and without the necessity of swinging or other movement of the back to position to clear the extensible frame in the folding and extending operations.

In opening the extensible frame from its folded position shown in Figure 2 to its extended position shown in Figure 4, the look at 56 opens automatically by the simple expedient of lifting the outer end of the outer frame section 9 from the position shown in Figure 2.

Another feature of the article of convertible furniture shown and described resides in the provision of a back I of hollow form to provide a bedding compartment 58 between the interior of the same and the back board 60 when the back I is positioned as shown in Figure 2. The back I is pivoted at 6| to the arms 2 on the frame above the seat 68 for swinging movement to the posi tion shown in dotted lines in Figure 4 for access to the bedding compartment 58. The bottom of the bedding compartment 58 is formed, for example, by 'a fabric or other flexible element 62 connected between the back board and the bottom of the back I.

For the purpose of locking the back I in the position shown in Figure 2, a latch or look member 64 is pivoted to the bottom of the back l-intermediate the opposite ends thereof. This lock member 64 has a downturned end 65, and is adapted for engagement with the upright flange of the adjacent transversely extending angle iron of the extensible frame when the extensible frame is in folded position. This locks the back I in the position shown in Figure 2. The lock member 64 is adapted to be released by pressing down on the seat 68 at the back. 7

With the extensible frame folded into the seat portion, a seat cushion is positioned as shown at 68 in Figures 1 and 2, to complete the seat. The seat cushion 68, which may be upholstered as suitable or desired, may be used in conjunction with the inner spring mattress (not shown) to form in effect a mattress extending the full length of the bed frame when it is in extended position.

The embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be expressly understood that such drawings and the accompanying specification are not to be construed as a definition of the limits or scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

I claim:

1. In an article of convertible furniture comprising a main frame, a sectional bed frame for folding into and out of said main frame, and means for securing the inner section of the bed frame in said main frame, of means for locking the bed sections in folded position in said main frame comprising, in combination, a generally upright locking link pivoted at its lower end to said main frame, a spring connected between the main frame and said link for normally urging the latter outwardly with respect to the main frame, and a cooperating locking member fixed to the outer section of the bed frame for yielding locking engagement with said locking link when the bed frame is moved to folded position in said main frame.

2. In an article of convertible furniture comprising a main frame, a sectional bed frame for folding into and out of said main frame, and means for securing the inner section of said bed frame in said main frame, of means for locking the bed sections in folded position in said main frame comprising in combination, a generally upright locking link having an aperture therein and pivoted at its lower end to said main frame, a spring connected between said main frame and said looking link for normally urging the latter outwardly with respect to said main frame, a cooperating locking member fixed to the outer section of said bed frame for yielding locking engagement with said locking link when the bed frame is moved to folded position in said main frame, and a pin carried by said main frame and loosely engaging in the aperture in said locking link for permitting limited pivotal movement of said link about its pivot and for limiting such movement.

3. In an article of convertible furniture comprising a main frame, a sectional bed frame for fold- 7 insmm and ut, of file-ma nframe. mimeans gequring the inner; section of said bed frame in said main frame of m ans for ockin the b fi fitiq s in foldedpositiori in said main frame smm n i om ination a gene al y upright looking link; supported on saici main frame for pivotal movement, with respect; thereto, resilient means associated with said locking link and normally urging the same o twardlyof said bed frame, means cooperating with said locking link to L mit the; movement thereof; under influence r aid; re i ent. mean and a c o e i g 1 in -memb r fixed o he t r sec in of ai e am o ie di g l i e a em t it i o kine l he th bed. ram is, m ved to iQBlQd nQs t on in sa m in flam HN A-ABTQN- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS u ber Nam Dat 1,037,227 Fisher Sept. 3, 1912 1,074,799 Kindel Oct. 7, 191 3 1,081,590 Dyke Dec. 16, 1913 1,270,742 Kindel June 25, 1918 1,349,620 Maves et a1. Aug 17, 1920 1,363,400 Fichtenbaum Dee. 28, 1920 1,527,416 Konrad Feb. 24, 1925 1,612,687 Young Dec 28, 1 926 1,857,401 Polikofi May 10. .932

't-n-cr-A-f-m-r'f-zs 

